Description
Savory pesto shrimp mushroom pasta merges Italian coastal flavors with earthy mushroom notes. Fresh herbs and succulent seafood create a memorable Mediterranean-inspired dining experience you will enjoy sharing with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) shrimp, large, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz (225g) pasta, linguine, spaghetti, or penne
- 8 oz (225g) mushrooms, cremini or button, sliced
- ⅓ cup (80ml) pesto, store-bought or homemade
- ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ¼ cup (25g) parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps basil, fresh, chopped
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp salt (for boiling water)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Extra parmesan cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Fill a large pot with salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining, ensuring optimal sauce consistency later.
- Shrimp Seasoning and Searing: Coat shrimp with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet and quickly sear shrimp until they transform to a vibrant pink, guaranteeing complete cooking. Remove and set aside on a separate plate.
- Mushroom and Garlic Infusion: In the same skillet, caramelize mushrooms until they develop a deep golden color. Add minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to bloom and create a flavor-rich foundation.
- Sauce Development: Lower skillet temperature and introduce heavy cream, pesto, and Parmesan cheese. Optional red pepper flakes can enhance depth. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to thicken and meld flavors harmoniously.
- Final Assembly: Combine pasta with the luxurious sauce, ensuring thorough coating. If sauce appears too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve a silky texture. Gently fold seared shrimp back into the mixture.
- Presentation: Transfer to serving plates, garnish with fresh basil leaves and an additional Parmesan sprinkle. Serve immediately to capture the peak of flavor and texture.
Notes
- Control Pasta Texture: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency, ensuring perfect coating without drying out or becoming too liquid.
- Master Shrimp Cooking: Sear quickly over high heat for 2-3 minutes per side, watching for pink color and slight curl to prevent rubbery, overcooked seafood.
- Enhance Mushroom Flavor: Allow mushrooms to caramelize without stirring frequently, creating golden edges that develop deep, rich umami notes and prevent steaming.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, use gluten-free pasta, or replace shrimp with grilled chicken for alternative protein preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 250mg